Cold therapy has been known to treat various injuries such as swelling, muscle pain, faster healing of athletic injuries, and arthritic pain. However, the benefits of cold therapy do not only limit to muscle pains but in fact, extend to boosting the skin’s healthy glow and aiding in dealing with different signs of aging.
However, the greatest part of skin ice therapy is that you can easily do it at home with just one ingredient! Ready to start icing? Read on to find out how...
What Is Skin Ice Therapy
Skin ice therapy or popularly known as “skin icing” is a method of applying ice to the face to slow down inflammation and improve blood flow. The idea of this technique is to roll ice cubes over the face in a circular motion to constrict the blood vessels and decrease blood flow to the skin to regulate heat and maintain it a normal or core temperature. Several studies shows that good circulation and skin blood flow is vital in regulating the body temperature and heal skin injuries.
Benefits of Skin Icing
Benefit #1: Tighten the skin
The cold can calm down redness and shrink pores for tighter skin and instantly improve the skin’s firmness. This is because the cold can stimulate collagen production and improve elasticity resulting to a tight and plump appearance.
Benefit #2: Lighten dark circles & instant depuffing
There are many factors why you might be suffering from dark circles. Factors such as genetics, allergies, age, and lifestyle can play into darkening of the undereye. Another reason dark circle happens is because of poor blood circulation and this is where ice facials can help. Less oxygenated blood can cause a dark bluish color on your undereye. The cold from icing this area can deflate dilated blood vessels, and as a result, makes the under eyes look brighter and less puffy.
Benefit #3: Reduce oiliness
Facial icing can be beneficial to those with oily skin. The cold from the ice can help unclog and shrink down pores that produces excess oil. Other beauty enthusiasts add tomato into their ice cube recipe to help balance the excess oil production and reduce acne breakouts.
Benefit #4: Soothe sunburn
A well-known quick solution to relieve sunburn is by using an ice pack or bathing in cold ice water. The cold can ease the pain, swelling, and inflammation of sunburn. However, it is not recommended ice the area for more than 20 minutes.
Benefit #5: Increase skincare product absorption
Rubbing your face with ice or dipping it into an ice bowl can help the skin absorb your skincare products faster and reach deeper into the skin layer. A smoother application of makeup after an ice facial can also be observed instantly.
How To Apply Ice Facials
There are two different method of ice facials. One is to apply ice cubes in a circular motion to your face and the other method is to dunk your face in an ice bowl for 15-20 seconds.
Method 1: Using Ice Cubes
How to: Grab an ice cube then swirl it to your face in a circular motion. You may also wrap the ice cube into a clean, soft cloth before rolling into your skin. Make sure NOT to keep it in one spot for long to avoid thin blood vessels to pop.
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Method 2: Using Ice Bowl
How to: Grab a clean bowl and fill it in with cold water and ice cubes then dip your face into the bowl 4 times for 15-20 seconds each. You may also add cucumber slices into the mixture.
Check out how TikTok user @marissalittell does it:
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Ice Recipe Variation
The main ingredient of ice facials is cold water or ice cubes. But what if you can personalize and add more ingredients to make it more beneficial to the skin? We surfed the web for different ice recipe variation you can try. Some of this are added fruits and healing leaves...check out below.
Cucumber Ice Cubes
Cucumber is high in antioxidants. It is also help alleviate sunburn and swelling due to its colling effect. Here is what you will need to create a cucumber facial cube:
Ingredients:
- 1 Cucumber
- 1 Cup of Purified Water
How to:
1. Cut up cucumber into pieces2. Add cucumber and water into a blender
3. Blend until liquid
4. Pour into an ice tray or molder
5. Freeze overnight and apply the next day
Aloe Vera Ice Cubes
Aloe vera is a natural antioxidant and antibacterial plant. Applying it into your skin can provide deep moisturization and combat wrinkles. Here is what you will need to create an aloe vera facial cubes:
Ingredient:
- 1 Aloe Vera
How to:
1. Remove the ends and the spiky parts of the aloe vera2. Cut the aloe vera into tiny square sizes (cube sized)
3. Open one side of the aloe vera pieces
4. Store into a Ziplock and freeze the freshly cut pieces
Green Tea Ice Cubes
Green tea contains anti-inflammatory properties and is known to help with different skin problems. It contains vitamin E and B12 that are beneficial to promote new healthy skin cells and maintain a healthy youthful glow. Here is what you will need to create a green tea facial cube:
Ingredients:
- 2 Green tea bags
How to:
1. Boil the 2 tea bags into hot water and let it sit for 10 minutes2. Pour the mixture into the ice cube tray
3. Freeze overnight and apply the next day
Tip: The used tea bags can also be frozen and applied the next day
There you have it! Everything you need to know about skin icing. Will you be trying it too? Tag us on Instagram and let us know!